Happy Birthday to Skid-Row Resident NR13406bb

Los Angeles:  On August 23, 2013, Ms. Loretta Johnson, a resident of the Skid-Row Homeless Community, was awakened in the early morning hours by LAPD Sergeant A. Walker, Officer–in-Charge of the Central Area Eastside Detail (ESD).   When Sergeant Walker approached Ms. Johnson (a.k.a. “Grandma”) and woke her up, Grandma informed him that it was her 78th birthday.

Shortly after receiving this information, Sergeant Walker returned to Ms. Johnson’s make-shift tent with a dozen roses and four members of his detail:  Police Officers Pete Echavarria, Javier Navarro, Jesus Reza, and Janette Zambrano.  Sergeant Walker presented Ms. Johnson with the bouquet of roses as the officers sang happy birthday.

“It was apparent that we made her day, which in turn made our day,” said Sergeant Walker.  “The best part was when Ms. Johnson, with tears in her eyes, said, ‘I will never forget this day.’”

The ESD is a specialized unit from Central Station that’s responsible for enforcement of the Los Angeles Municipal Code sections that prohibit sitting, sleeping or lying on the sidewalk before 9:00 p.m. and after 6:00 a.m.  Sergeant Walker can be reached at (213) 972-1298.

Anyone wishing to report a crime may remain anonymous by calling Crime Stopper at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to www.LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.